Mr Brinley Gravenor

Mr Brinley Gravenor.
Mr Brinley Gravenor was born on Wednesday 5th of May 1909 at Abertillery, Monmouthshire. He lived with his parents Mr James Gravenor, a coal miner and Mrs Maggie Gravenor, along with his elder brother Tom Gravenor at 21 Penybont Terrace, Cwmtillery. Brinley, better known as Bryn became an accomplished billiard and snooker player, he first started playing at Preece’s Billiard Hall, Somerset Street, Abertillery. The billiard hall was on the second floor above a butchers shop what is now the Old Tyleryan’s Club, accessed by a side staircase.

Mr Tom John Gravenor.
Mr Tom J. Gravenor, Bryn’s elder brother later played billiards for the Powell’s Tillery Institute Billiards Team.

Preece’s Billiard Hall, Abertillery.
On Friday 1st of May 1931, the South Wales Gazette reported on a successful past season for the Preece’s Billiard Hall, Abertillery. Their first team won the knock-out competition open to teams that played in the Western Valley League and they were also runners-up in the second division of the league. The second team were also runner-up in their section. It stated that Mr Bryn Gravenor and Mr Arthur Dean were the finalists in the Junior Amateur Championship of Monmouthshire and Mr Tranter was in the last eight of the Junior Amateur Championship of Great Britain. The Preece’s Billiard Hall first team at this time were as follows – Mr Jim Tranter; Mr Alf Kent; Mr Bryn Gravenor; Mr A. Griffin; Mr T. Davies; Mr J. Powell; Mr F. Burrows and Mr A. Dean:

The Junior Amateur Championship of Monmouthshire.
On Saturday 2nd of May 1931, Mr Bryn Gravenor won the Junior Amateur Championship of Monmouthshire held at the Lymes Club, Abertillery. Mr Gravenor beat Mr Arthur Dean 600 to 412 points. Bryn Gravenor had breaks of 86 and 60.

Mr Bryn Gravenor at the Six Bells Workmen’s Club.
In December 1931, Mr Bryn Gravenor featured in the Monmouthshire Club’s Billiards League playing for the Six Bells Workmen’s Club. His team mates at this time were Mr T. C. Morse; Mr J. Tranter and Mr Alf Kent.

The Liberal Club, Abertillery.
In 1933 Mr Bryn Gravenor featured in the Western Valley Billiards League playing for the Liberal Club, Abertillery.

The Welsh Amateur Snooker Championship 1933.
On Tuesday 21st of February 1933, the Western Mail reported Mr Bryn Gravenor of Abertillery lost to Mr Tom Jones of Quakers Yard in the final of the Welsh Amateur Snooker Championship. The game was played at Billiards House, Cardiff.

The Welsh Amateur Snooker Championship 1935.
On Saturday 9th of February 1935, Mr Bryn Gravenor reached the final of the Welsh Amateur Snooker Championship (Western Valley Section) although lost to Mr Ivor Edwards of Powell’s Billiard Hall, Cwm.

The National Snooker Break Competition.
On Wednesday 20th of February 1935, the Croydon Times reported on the National Break Competition of 1934. Mr Bryn Gravenor came second in the award for the most breaks in snooker, registering 166 breaks of over 25. The first award was given to Mr C. Garner of Thornton Heath with 225 breaks of over 25.

Big Snooker Break.
In June 1936 the Leicester Evening Mail reported on a big break recently compiled by Mr Bryn Gravenor of the Liberal Club, Abertillery. The break was a clearance of 99, the report stated the break was entered into the Billiards Association and Control Council breaks’ competition.

Big Billiard Break.
On Friday 29th of January 1937, the South Wales Gazette reported a big break of 107 made by Mr Bryn Gravenor of Abertillery. The break was made during a match in Division 1 of the Western Valley’s Billiards League between the Liberal Club, Abertillery and the Powell’s Billiard Hall, Cwm.

The Welsh Amateur Billiards Championship 1937.
On Saturday 27th of February 1937, Mr Bryn Gravenor won the Welsh Amateur Billiards Championship held at Billiards House, Cardiff. Mr Gravenor beat Mr Gwyn Howells of Llanharan. The score was 1,500 to 1,224. Bryn Gravenor’s breaks were 108, 70, 52 and 28.

Billiards Association and Control Council’s Snooker Break 1937.
On Wednesday 21st of April 1937, the Liverpool Echo, one of many newspapers, reported “Amateur’s Remarkable Break”, Mr Bryn Gravenor, of Abertillery, the Welsh amateur billiards champion has made the highest reported snooker break by an amateur of 124. Mr Gravenor made the break while playing against Mr J. G. Thomas of Abertillery. Last season Gravenor won the Billiards Association and Control Council’s snooker break competition with a run of 99. The world record amateur snooker break under standard conditions as recognised by the Billiards Association had been 90, by Mr J. Thompson of Workington in 1936.

The W. Brown Cup.
On Saturday 22nd of May 1937, the Western Valley’s Billiards League celebrated a successful season with an annual supper and presentation held at the Station Hotel, Abertillery. Division 1 winners, the Abertillery Liberal Club was presented the Burroughes and Watts’ Shield and Mr Bryn Gravenor of the club was awarded the W. Brown Cup.

The Welsh Amateur Billiards Championship 1938.
On Saturday 17th of February 1938, Mr Bryn Gravenor was in the final of the Welsh Amateur Billiards Championship held at Cardiff, although he lost to Mr Joe Tregonning of Neath by 498 points. The score was 1,500 to 1,002.

The Welsh Amateur Snooker Championship 1938.
On Wednesday 16th of February 1938, Mr Bryn Gravenor won the Welsh Amateur Snooker Championship held at Cardiff. Mr Gravenor beat Mr Tom Jones of Quakers Yard in four straight sets.

The Powell’s Tillery Institute Team.
On Saturday 30th of April 1938, Mr Bryn Gravenor was in the Powell’s Tillery Institute billiards team that won the South Wales Miners Welfare Billiards Championship when they beat Cwmdu Welfare Institute at Abercwmboi. Bryn Gravenor was in the team with Mr S. Jones, Mr D. James and Mr H. Went. The Powell’s Tillery Institute team won by 1,925 to 1,857 points.

The Welsh Amateur Billiards Championship 1939.
On Saturday 25th of March 1939, Mr Bryn Gravenor won the Welsh Amateur Billiards Championship held at Swansea. Mr Gravenor beat Mr J. Tregonning of Neath. The score was 1,500 to 1,434. Mr Gravenor was presented with the trophy by the Vicar of Sketty, Chancellor H. J. Stewart.

Mr Joe Davis at the Powell’s Tillery Institute, Abertillery.
In September 1945 Mr Joe Davis, the world snooker champion came to Abertillery on a three day visit for a series of billiard and snooker exhibition matches played at the Powell’s Tillery Institute, Division Street. The event was arranged by Mr E. M. Rowland, the secretary of the Red Cross and St John War Organisation Committee, including Mr Joe Tippins (Chairman); Mr Fred Baker (Co-Secretary); Mr H. Woodliffe (Tresurer) and Mr W. D. Mills: The South Wales Gazette stated that this week, during the visit, Mr Bryn Gravenor had beaten Joe Davis five times off level scores – Bryn Gravenor 72-33, 76-39, 81-28, 59-35 and 64-47.

It was arranged for Mr Joe Davis to play other local players at billiards and snooker with an audience including – Councillor Mr Ivor Edwards; Mrs Bessie Bishop (Vice-Chairman of the Major Committee); Mrs E. R. Talbot (Secretary of the Women’s Section); Councillor Mrs Florence Brown; Police Supt. Lewis Moore; Mr Hector Williams (Clerk of the Abertillery Council) and Dr R. Burns with members of the sports committee: Each of Joe Davis’ snooker opponents were given a 35 start with the exception of Mr Bryn Gravenor who was given a start of only 28. Mr Gravenor played snooker against Joe Davis on Tuesday 11th of September, two games played, winning one and losing one, 63-82 and 104-39. On Wednesday 12th of September, five games played, winning four losing one, 59-70, 73-53, 87-35, 109-28 and 75-73. On Thursday 13th of September three games were played, winning two and losing one, 73-60, 92-47 and 60-80.

The English Amateur Snooker Championship 1946.
On Monday 11th of February 1946, Mr Bryn Gravenor beat Mr J. E. Harries of Adlams Club, Redfield in the Bristol area final of the English Amateur Snooker Championship held at Bristol Tramways Club, Easton Road. The win qualified Mr Gravenor to play in the final stages of the competition which will be held at Borroughes Hall, London. In March 1946, during the final stages matches Mr Gravenor lost to Mr A. Brown of Birmingham 5-3.

The Monmouthshire Open Billiards Championship 1946.
In March 1946 Mr Bryn Gravenor won the Monmouthshire Open Billiards Championship held at the Blaina Institute, Blaina, Mon. Mr Gravenor beat Mr J. Gibson of Abertillery. The score was 500 to 260.

The Welsh Amateur Billiards Championship 1946.
On Saturday 6th of April 1946, Mr Bryn Gravenor won the Welsh Amateur Billiards Championship held at Billiards House, Cardiff. Mr Gravenor beat Mr Wilf Grist of Cwm, to retained the title. The scores were 1,500 to 732. Bryn Gravenor had breaks of 111, 93, 74, 69 and 66.

The Welsh Amateur Snooker Championship 1946.
On Saturday 13th of April 1946, Mr Bryn Gravenor won the Welsh Snooker Championship held at Billiards House, Cardiff. Mr Gravenor beat Mr W. V. Hayes of Brithdir. Mr Gravenor set a record with this win as the previous week he won the Welsh Amateur Billiards Championship at the same venue and thus held the unique distinction of being the only player to complete the double.

Mr John Pullman.
In April-May 1946 Bryn Gravenor played a friendly game of snooker against Mr John Pullman the champion of the Amateur Snooker Championship of Great Britain at the Westbury Club, Bristol. Bryn Gravenor beat Mr Pullman 2 games to 1 with the following scores 20 to 65, 79 to 15 and 46 to 54.

Pencoed Billiard Hall.
In October 1946, Mr Bryn Gravenor of Abertillery appeared at the Billiard Hall, Pencoed to play a series of exhibition snooker and billiard matches. In the billiard match he played Mr Gwyn Howells of Llanharan in a match 750 up, which he won with breaks of 123, 106 and 88. In the snooker match, again playing Mr Howells, over five frames, he won 4-1. Mr Entwistle of Llanharan was marker and Mr Garfield Thomas of Brynna was the referee.

The Welsh Amateur Billiards Championship 1947.
Tommy Morse winner of the Welsh Amateur Billiards Championship 1947.

The Welsh Professional Billiards Championship 1947.
In May 1947, Mr Bryn Gravenor won the Welsh Professional Billiards Championship held in Cardiff. Mr Gravenor beat Mr T. E. Entwistle of Llanharan. The score was 3,782 to 2,594. The final was played over four days.

The Arrael Griffin Colliery.
On Friday 22nd of August 1947, the South Wales Gazette ran a story on Mr John Ford another member of the Liberal Club, Abertillery. Mr Ford began working at Cwmtillery Colliery in that year. The report stated that Mr Bryn Gravenor was also a collier and had been working at the Arrael Griffin Colliery, Six Bells though had finished working there early in 1947 to become a professional player. 

Aberkenfig.
In 1947 Mr Bryn Gravenor moved to Aberkenfig, he was listed as being the caretaker and billiard marker of Aberkenfig Welfare Hall?

The Ebbw Vale Institute Centenary 1949.
In November 1949, the Merthyr Express reported on a billiard match in connection with the Ebbw Vale Institute Centenary, an exhibition match was played between Mr Bryn Gravenor, the professional champion of Wales and Mr Ivor Edwards, the amateur champion of Wales. Bryn Gravenor made made a break of 120 and a splendid break of 245 compiled in just 14 minutes.

Mr Horace Lindrum.
On Monday 27th of March 1950, Mr Bryn Gravenor beat Horace Lindrum the ex-world champion 2-0 in two exhibition snooker games played at the Arcadia Hall, Llanharan. Even though Bryn Gravenor was given a 28 start in each game he won easily with the score 126-16 and 108-10.

Mr Joe Davis.
On Tuesday 17th and Wednesday 18th of October 1950, Mr Joe Davis the world champion snooker player played a series of exhibition matches at the Welfare Hall, Pandy Road, Aberkenfig. Mr Bryn Gravenor, the marker and steward of the hall was among a few members who played Mr Davis. There were no scores available to report.

Glamorganshire County Bowls Player.
During the early 1950’s Mr Bryn Gravenor was chosen and played county bowls for Glamorganshire.

Welsh International Bowls Player 1953.
In 1953, apart from playing county bowls, Mr Bryn Gravenor was chosen to represent Wales and was a part of the Welsh Bowls Team throughout the latter half of the 1950’s.

The Move Back to Abertillery.
In 1956 Mr Gravenor moved back to Abertillery when he took over as caretaker of the Liberal Club, Abertillery and lived in Glynmawr Street. In 1963 he moved to Alma Street, Abertillery and was later the club’s secretary. Mr Gravenor was still a part of the Welsh Bowls Team at this time.

The Abertillery Liberal Club and the Rhymney Valley and Sirhowy Snooker Leagues.
On Friday 1st of March 1963, the South Wales Gazette reported on the successes of the first and second teams at the Liberal Club within the Rhymney Valley and Sirhowy Snooker Leagues. It stated that the 1st team had won the Rhymney Valley League for the second consecutive year and the 2nd team had won the Sirhowy League. It went on to say both teams were being coached by Mr Bryn Gravenor, former national champion.

The Abertillery Liberal Club versus the Pick of the Rhymney Valley Snooker League.
On Thursday 2nd of May 1963, the Abertillery Liberal Club (Central Club) played a combined team, the pick-of-the-league team from the Rhymney Valley Snooker League, played at Ystrad Mynach. Before the match began Mr Bryn Gravenor (Secretary) of the Liberal Club, Abertillery played an exhibition match against Mr Allan Grane of Abertyssyg. Mr Gravenor won 2-0 and the Abertillery team won the game 10-6. The teams and results, (Abertillery players names first) were as follows – Mr D. Meredith 74 and 52, Mr D. Mountjoy 55 and 45; Mr J. Ford 30 and 87, Mr J. Antoniazzi 56 and 14; Mr R. Berryman 44 and 44, Mr A. Lloyd 32 and 66; Mr E. Marks 83 and 42, Mr R. Pring 11 and 66; Mr J. Wellington 28 and 65, Mr D. May 65 and 38; Mr P. Morris 70 and 31, Mr C. Huxley 38 and 61; Mr G. Coles 40 and 43, Mr R. Williams 76 and 33; Mr W. Coombes 72 and 54, Mr J. Duggan 45 and 49:

The Death of Mr Bryn Gravenor.
Mr Bryn Gravenor sadly passed away on his birthday, the 5th of May 1977.

Claire Sims.
Many thanks to Claire Sims, Bryn Gravenor’s granddaughter for providing information and the photograph of Bryn Gravenor in his playing days.

 

Points of Interest – Mr Jim Tranter, a team mate of Mr Bryn Gravenor in the early 1930’s, as mentioned above, went through to the last eight of the Junior Amateur Billiards Championship of Great Britain, he was picked out to play Mr L. J. Lee of London, the brother of Mr Sydney Lee, the British Senior Amateur Billiards Champion. The games were held on Thursday 14th of May at Thurstons Billiard Hall, London. Mr Tranter lost his match to Mr Lee 500 to 275 points.